Richmond trustees prepare for a new term as campaign divisions ease

The Richmond School District has a newly elected board, and trustees say they are ready to get to work. Five incumbents were re-elected on Oct. 17: Ken Hamaguchi and Heather Larson of the Richmond Education Party, Alice Wong of the Common Sense Alliance, independent Donna Sargent, and Rod Belleza of Advance Richmond. They will be joined by Advance Richmond’s Danny Chang and Dean Billings, who placed fourth and fifth in the polls. A record 28 candidates ran for school trustee. Several trustees said the crowded race was difficult for voters to follow. Hamaguchi said so many names risk turning the vote into “a bit of a popularity contest or who puts the most money into their advertising.” Larson and Sargent said voters told them they were confused.

### Chang and Billings promise change

Speaking at Advance Richmond’s election-night gathering, Chang promised change at the Richmond board of education and said people should “look forward to a new Richmond school system.” “We carry the heavy expectations of our voters and we will get to start to work and change the school board system,” he said. In an interview with Richmond News afterwards, Chang said he looked forward to learning from incumbent trustees and “(picking) their brains” so they could work “in peace” over the next four years. “I’m not here to be a politician or anything. I just want to do what’s best for my kid or what’s best for the students,” he said. His first priority as a trustee will be expanding after-school care programs.

Billings said on election night that he had not expected to win and that the result felt surreal, even though it had been announced 30 minutes earlier. At the same gathering, he said current board members had been there “a very, very long time” and were “accustomed to being able to drive that agenda how they see fit.” He said he was “eager to see” significant change. In a later interview with Richmond News, Billings identified collaboration as a priority. He said the campaign had focused on issues that connected with people, including transparency and bringing in different voices. “Certainly, this is a big shift for the school board,” he said. Asked about challenges ahead, he said they were undeniable: “Well, it’s a large complex organization, so there will be challenges. It’s gonna be wonderful to see a new perspective.”

Belleza, an Advance Richmond slate colleague who was also re-elected, echoed the call for change in his speech. “Change is delivered today! A new board is coming and joining,” he said. He said most of his motions were defeated during his last term “because those people believed on their experience and the staff without having a proactive leadership.” Belleza called for safe schools free from “any drugs, violence and bullying including those trustees who bullied me.” He also proposed a district student council so children “could represent themselves and become an advisory body for the board of education.”

### Returning trustees urge caution

The returning incumbents were more cautious about the prospect of change. Hamaguchi, who has served 12 years and was most recently board chair, said he does not expect major policy changes after the election. He anticipates questions and “explanations about why we do certain things a certain way, which I think is actually good.” Larson said she is not opposed to change, “except it has to be for the right reason.” Both said trustees must follow established processes, including Robert’s Rules of Order, a parliamentary procedure framework used primarily by boards, non-profits, associations and corporate groups in Canada to manage meetings fairly and efficiently.

Hamaguchi said new trustees face a steep learning curve. “It’s one thing to be on the outside, giving commentary and complaining and giving feedback. But it’s another thing to be inside, and sometimes it’s a very, very different picture,” he said. “The top priority is getting the new trustees up to speed on how we do things and how things work.” He believes the board has been “on a pretty good track for the last couple years” and that, with the election over, it is time to move on to “the next item on the agenda.” Hamaguchi and Larson expect campaign divisions to fade. “With trustees, once the election’s over, everyone kind of throws out your party designation and it’s all about doing what’s best for the kids,” Hamaguchi said. Larson said members will have to learn to “play nice in the sandbox,” adding that new members can bring fresh perspectives.

Sargent, who said she “squeaked in” on the last poll of the night, hopes the campaign’s tone will not carry over. “I hope that the past comments and things that have been made are not indicative to the work ahead,” she said. Ensuring the community and schools feel welcoming and safe is most important to her, while students’ education remains her priority. “I’m looking forward to making sure that young people are held up and our staff are protected, and that we can keep doing the incredible work that we’re doing,” she said.

The Richmond Board of Education will hold its inaugural meeting with the newly elected trustees on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. The board chair remains an open question. Hamaguchi, who has held the role for the past couple of years, said “there’s a lot of combinations that can come into play” now that his slate has fewer seats.